Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 20.djvu/29

Rh him, he flies the country." And so of a tribe not before mentioned, the Jakuns of the South Malayan Peninsula, who, described as "entirely inoffensive," personally brave but peaceful, and as under no control but that of popularly appointed heads who settle their disputes, are also described as "extremely proud": the so-called pride being exemplified by the statement that their remarkably good qualities "induced several persons to make attempts to domesticate them, but such essays have generally ended in the Jakuns' disappearance on the slightest coercion."

With a strong sense of their own claims, these unwarlike men display unusual respect for the claims of others. This is shown in the first place by the rarity of personal collisions among them. Hodgson says that the Bodo and the Dhimáls "are void of all violence toward their own people or toward their neighbors." Of the peaceful tribes of the Neilgherry Hills, Colonel Ouchterlony writes, "Drunkenness and violence are unknown among them." Campbell remarks of the Lepchas, that "they rarely quarrel among themselves." The Jakuns, too, "have very seldom quarrels among themselves"; and such disputes as arise are settled by their popularly-chosen heads "without fighting or malice." And similarly the Arafuras "live in peace and brotherly love with one another." Further, in the accounts of these peoples we read nothing about the lex talionis. In the absence of hostilities with adjacent groups, there does not exist within each group that "sacred duty of blood-revenge" universally recognized in militant tribes and nations. Still more significantly, we find evidence of the opposite doctrine and practice. Says Campbell of the Lepchas: "They are singularly forgiving of injuries; . . . making mutual amends and concessions."

Naturally, with respect for others' individualities thus shown, goes respect for their claims to property. Already, in the preliminary chapter, I have quoted testimonies to the great honesty of the Bodo